NMEs contents page is largely occupied by images. They have obviously decided that their readers don't want to have to read masses to find what they want to read about in more length.
The text beneath the pictures is a short synopsis of the article and also a pull quote to get a taste of what the feature is about.
They also have a small, "Plus" section on this page for things that aren't quite important enough to get a picture but are still worthy of being there.
This magazine cover is an all american special issue so is slightly different to most other NME front covers. But they've still got a lot of their house style so everybody knows what magazine it is.
The skyline running along the top of the page is eye catching with its bold writing and the bold and boastful statement "We made history", draws people in and question the quote. Wondering how Ian Brown made history.
The masthead, in this issue is blue, normally it is red but in keeping with the american theme, they've made it blue. So that with the red and white stripes, the blue makes the background look like the american flag. Underneath the masthead is "New Musical Express", this shows that NME does actually stand for something and is relevant to the magazine.
The image of the band, The Drums is a very moody picture. They're all looking quite dazed and confused into the camera. This whole look and image is appealing to NME's audience. It's all quite punky and anarchic, not smiling at a camera and the clothes they're wearing aren't particularly smart, it's very casual and laid back.
The main article is very clear on the front cover, written in a big, bold font "The Drums", readers certainly know what they're getting from this issue. There's also a list running beneath that of other american bands that feature in this issue.
In the left third and the top right hand corner, there are a couple of flashes. These are extras features in the magazine that aren't in keeping with the american theme, but, NME have decided that they need these two flashes on the front cover to entice people in some more.
This is a cover image for NME magazine. The main image is of Lily Allen, which obviously makes the reader aware that she is the main article. The headline "Lily Allen Takes on the World" leads to the reader thinking something big is happening with this artist. They've also got a pull quote on the cover that says, "I can't keep living on like this, it's doing my head in" this quote makes the reader, perhaps sympathise with Lily Allen and makes you want to read what is happening in her life to make her say something like that.
Her whole look is very dishevelled and as if she's just rolled out of bed. However, a lot of thought has gone into her look in the picture. For starters, the tarten shirt. This links back to punk in the 70's. NME is a very punk magazine and rebellious. Therefore the shirt fits in with their theme and their target audience is most probably the rebellious type of youth. The way Lily Allen is starring into the lense of the camera makes her look quite unwell. Her face is very pale and the expression on her face is very "WHat are you looking at?!" Which would appeal to NME's target audience.
Also on this cover they have a few flashes. All of these will be small things for the reader that may benefit them in some way and are just another way to draw them in.
The skyline on this front cover says in big writing, "NEW MONKEYS TUNE" The fact that they have abbreviated the name Arctic Monkeys to Monkeys, suggests that they are a big, well known band and the use of their full name is unnecassary. Therefore, readers will want to know more about their new songs and want to read about it.
NME's cover lines are running along the bottom of the cover and are just a list of band names. NME are confident that they don't need to put any information about what the stories on these bands are. Just the list is suffice.
They've used the power of the left third quite a bit on this cover, thier main article is all on the left hand side, where you would be able to see it if you're skimming a magazine rack. Like the cover story, the pull quote and you would also see some of the cover lines, put the use of the "Plus" arrow will show readers that there is even more for them to read.
When I did my research for what students would like in a college magazine, I made a survey with 15 questions and asked students from different departments in the college to get a wide range of opinions and answers.
In the end, the most popular subjects were things like, ways to save money, gig dates and reviews and where to go for good food around the city.
I took these ideas and focused on them for my front cover and contents so it would appeal to the majority of students.
Looking at other college magazines, it's very clear that it is mostly all about things for students. Things like discounts, chances to win things and local events. There's one called College Magazine that has different polls for students to decide what performance they would like to go and see on a trip which I think is a good idea for getting them involved and making things happen themselves.
There seems to be a lot of articles on things like night life, fashion, sex, entertainment. All of which, people are into, or are getting into when they come up to college. It's always very relevant to students.
There's another magazine called, U Magazine that consists of interviews from celebrities about their college life and experiences. There's also articles on different subjects in each issue.
